COLT MODEL 1878 DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER IN 45 COLT

Description:
7-1/2 inch round barrel chambered in 45 Colt caliber with a bright shiny bore with good rifling. Barrel address is readable. Most all of the period applied blue refinish remains with some wear on the cylinder and ejector rod housing. Checkered Colt hard rubber grips fit well and look good. Action needs attention as the hammer will not hold in any position but does appear to work as a double action. Missing the lanyard and the loading gate knob. There were over 51,000 of these made between 1878 - 1905 and this one was manufactured in 1885es with a Canadian Firearm Registration Certificate.
This is one of 1,001 Model 1878 revolvers Canada purchased from Hartley & Graham to arm mounted forces during the North-West Rebellion. The North-West Rebellion, also called the Riel Rebellion, occurred in 1885 when Métis leader Louis Riel led an armed resistance against Canadian government policies in what is now Saskatchewan. The Canadian government deployed militia forces to suppress the rebellion, and these Colt 1878 revolvers were rushed into service to arm the mounted troops. The rebellion was crushed within months, but these revolvers continued serving.
Many of these same Canadian militia Colts later saw action in the Second Boer War in South Africa from 1899-1902, where Canadian volunteers fought alongside British forces against Boer settlers. Some reportedly remained in service through World War I, giving these revolvers nearly four decades of military use.

Leroy Merz Antique Firearms specializes in antique and vintage Winchesters and other fine American firearms. Since 1965 Mr. Merz has taken part in the world of firearms and has been a contributor to many well known reference books. We have hundreds of additional guns in every price range at our home online. Search for Merz Antiques in google.
 
 

Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .45 Colt

Price: $2,175.00